FASCINATING old black and white photographs of Bolton have been published online for the first time.

English Heritage has released thousands of images from its historical archive catalogue, including hundreds of documents relating to Bolton.

Previously, the old plans, drawings, reports and photographs, could only be viewed by visiting the National Monuments Record’s public search rooms in Swindon.

The records of England’s historic buildings and archaeological sites include the old Odeon cinema, in Ashburner Street, Queens Park and the Watermillock, in Crompton Way. Images of the now-demolished cinema include shots of the foyer, the projection room and the organ. The photos were taken when the Odeon opened in August, 1937.

The Watermillock, in Crompton Way, which is now a restaurant, was once a Victorian house and a photograph from 1887 of the property and stables can be seen online. Old postcards of Bolton and Farnworth can also be viewed. Images of the lake in Queens Park, the Gate Lodge at Smithills Hall and shots of Farnworth Park, are all dated around 1900.

A post-war photograph of Belmont Road, dated between 1946 and 1955, shows a quiet road with just two cars travelling between Bolton and Belmont.

A spokesman for English Heritage said: “There is a wealth of historical material held on the archive from photographs, plans and drawings to reports and publications covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history.

“Until now, these searches had to be done in person, but now people can search fromtheir own home.”

Some documents must be ordered and there is a price to download certain photographs and publications, but others can be viewed for free on the website.

Brian Tetlow, chairman of the Bolton Civic Trust, said: “It will be interesting to see some photographs that we may not have seen before.

“The Odeon was iconic.

It was a magnificent building in its time and it was beautifully appointed inside as well.

“The Watermillock too has a fascinating history.”